By LTO: Background: Under the Budget Control Act (BCA), the government must enact across-the-board mandatory spending cuts-also called “sequestration”-to defense and non-defense federal government programs. The implementation date was delayed until March 1, 2013 under the American Taxpayer Relief Act. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) estimates that non-defense discretionary spending accounts, including federal affordable multifamily housing programs, will be cut by 5 percent below FY 2012 levels because of sequestration.
A Call to Action
Lakewood Tenants Organization, Inc. (LTO) strongly encourages you to immediately contact your Members of Congress and let them know you oppose sequestering (i.e. mandatory across-the-board government spending cuts) federal affordable multifamily housing programs, particularly rental assistance programs. Please contact your members of Congress and tell them to replace the sequester with a reasonable, pragmatic approach to deficit reduction that does not harm America’s most vulnerable households by cutting important federal housing programs. Sequestering may negatively impact many Lakewood families assisted by HUD’s housing programs.
When you contact your Representatives, please also let them know that:
- Almost all federal affordable multifamily housing programs will be cut by 5 percent;
- Sequestering HUD’s budget alone could result in these negative consequences:
- Roughly 125,000 individuals and families, including elderly and disabled persons, could lose benefits from the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program and be at risk of becoming homeless;
- More than 100,000 formerly homeless people, including veterans, would be removed from their current housing and emergency shelter programs;
- 75,000 fewer households would receive foreclosure prevention, pre-purchase, rental, or homeless counseling through Housing Counseling grants;
- The sequester would prevent state and local communities that receive HOME grants from building and rehabilitating 2,100 affordable housing units for low-income families; and
- Significant cuts to community development funding for public services, facilities and infrastructure improvements, reducing confidence in the long-term sustainability of the private market rental housing that HUD supports.
LTO strongly opposes cuts to affordable housing programs, particularly the rental assistance programs. As a result, we strongly urge Congress and the Obama Administration to reverse sequestration so that important housing resources for America’s most vulnerable are not harmed.
Please see the section below for information on contacting your Representatives.
Senators:
Bob Menendez:
Office Locations
528 Senate Hart Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
202.224.4744
208 White Horse Pike, Suite 18
Barrington, New Jersey 08007
856.757.5353
856.546.1526 (fax)
One Gateway Center, Suite 1100
Newark, New Jersey 07102
973.645.3030
973.645.0502 (fax)
Senator Lautenberg:
Newark office is located at:
One Gateway Center
23rd Floor
Newark, NJ 07102
(973) 639-8700
Camden office is located at:
One Port Center
Suite 505, Fifth Floor
2 Riverside Drive
Camden, NJ 08101
(856) 338-8922
Washington office is located at:
Hart Senate Office Building
Suite 141
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-3224
Congressman: Chris Smith
Washington, DC Office
2373 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
p 202-225-3765
f 202-225-7768
Hamilton District Office
1540 Kuser Rd Suite A-9
Hamilton, NJ 08619
p 609-585-7878
f 609-585-9155
Whiting District Office
108 Lacey Road
Suite 38 A
Whiting Shopping Center
Whiting NJ 08759
p 732-350-2300
f 732-350-6260
[TLS].
How about those of us that approve the cuts because we cannot afford to pay for these programs altogether?
Instead of cutting HUD 5% why not just tax those who are working 5% more?
I would like to call, but I need to see the facts in print first. Can the LTO please provide some official citations/links where I can educate myself and be informed enough to have an intelligent conversation regarding this matter. Thanks.
Anon 7:44:
Why would you discourage someone from working by taxing him an extra 5% instead of encouraging someone to work by taking away his handout?
what about me and my wife who both work should I call as well to tell them I agree with the cuts I think it will be the greatest thing putting the government on a diet everybody else did it its now there turn as well. just a different point of view.
This whole article sounds like an Obama scare tactic!! Does anyone understand what the sequester is all about, it is the reduction in the increase of spending!! The Government will still spend MORE money this year than last year, but at a reduced rate, ie instead of spending 5% more it will only get 3% more. This is Obama’s plan to make it hurt as many people as possible to make his point and make the Republicans look bad. Bottom line sequester is cutting 2%. And remember the sequester was HIS idea!!!!!
Yes how about those of us who approve the cuts?! 30% of us should be taxed to death so 70% of you can have free rent?! i dont think so, and there must be much bigger cuts the sequestration cuts are nothing compared to what needs to be cut. seriously people do you think the government has its own money? they only have money by taking it from others which is theft. I would have to say that those who call their legislature agaist this are making a huge chillul hashem
#4, Anon #2 is obviously kidding. No one would say something like that seriously, unless they’re ultra liberal, which is also a big joke.
However, here’s to the other ultras. The ultra conservative Rush LImbaugh, etc. followers: This is what happens when you cut spending across the board. It doesn’t only hurt someone else. It also hurts you. Just saying so you know.
Well, Lakewood voted overwhelmingly republican. Chickens coming home to roost.
why pay if we cant afford it!
I have a feeling tent city is going to get a lot bigger.
mr obama keep on printing the dollar bills until the machines break on you
if you voted for him stop complaining
Reportedly Congress voted yesterday (Thursday) a Continuing Resolution (CR) softening the blow of the sequester, by shifting the 5% cuts to less essential services. We will have to wait and see whether the CR will help, or do more harm, to multifamily subsidized housing programs, before we know how this will affect Lakewood’s lower-income families, seniors, and the disabled .